Bobbin



March 7, 1950 J, (:RAMER 2,499,989

BOBBIN Filed Aug. 20, 1946 FIG. 3

I INVENTOR 5 |5 ii JOHN M. CRAMER,

'2 1 I BY @P 1 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE :BOBBIN John M. Cramer, Carbondale, Pa.

Application August 20, 1946, Serial No. 691,687

6 Claims. (Cl. 242-118) The present invention relates to a new and improved type of bobbin adapted for use generally in the several situations wherein bobbins are conventionally used, particularly in the textile industry. Thus, the bobbin according to the invention is useful in drawing and twisting the sliverand in winding the rovings in the manufacture of cotton. It is similarly useful in the winding of thread of any character, cotton, silk, etc.

A primary object of the present invention is the embodiment of a bobbin structure of increased efiiciency as compared to conventional bobbins hitherto employed. A further object is to realize an increase in efficiency of operation as the speedof operation (R. P. M.') increases. Still another object of the invention is to provide for'increased' stability of the bobbin, particularly at the higher rotational speeds, and, consequently, to assure an enhanced uniformity in the material (thread, yarn or the like)v bein wound, and to increase the life of the machine on which this bobbin is used as compared with the machine life when using the conventional type of bobbin. Another object of. the invention is the embodiment of a relationship of parts in a bobbin construction which may dispense with the conventionally-employed spindle but which is nevertheless adapted for use with such spindle, if desired.

Briefly stated, the afore-enumerated objects are realizedby the bobbin construction according to this invention, the essential characteristic of the said construction residing'in a distribution of the weight thereof in such manner as in effect to impart a gyration to the bobbin when in operation. This distribution of weight may be accomplished in a diversity of ways, someof which-the presently-preferred forms of the invention-will hereinafter be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the corresponding illustrations on the accompanying sheet of drawings.

On the said sheet of drawings:

Fig. '1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of bobbin according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the bobbin of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a second form of bobbin according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the bobbin of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5'is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of still another modification of the in vention;

Fig. 8 is a cross section through a modified form of top-end.

Referring first to the bobbin construction according-to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the device may consist essentially of a barrel, a topend, a base-end, and connecting inserts, one or both of which maybe a drive insert.

The barrel Ill, as is evident more particularly from Fig. 2, is a cylindrical tube with interior screw-threading at its respective ends. This barrel may be made of any suitable and desirable material, although preferred materials are aluminum, magnesium, suitable plastic compositions such as reinforced phenol-formaldehyde resin andthe like, compressed fiber, etc. The particular material need not, however, be one of these, and may be selected with regardtto the size of the bobbin and also with regard to the required strength which in turn depends upon the particular purpose to which the bobbin is to be put.

The barrel l0 may suitably rest on a corresponding shoulder ll provided in the base-end H which is essentially disk-like in configuration and is provided with a, central threaded bore which alines with the interior of the barrel. The material of which the base-end is made is, like that of the barrel, variable in character. It may, how ever, conveniently be of the same material as the barrel.

The upper end of barrel It) may fit into a corresponding shoulder l3 provided in the adjacent side of the top-end 14. The latter is also essentially disk-like in configuration and is also provided with a central threaded bore which alines with the interior of the barrel l0.

Reference numeral 15 designates the top-end insert which may be an exteriorly threaded solid cylindrical block of light material; for example, the material hereinbefore mentioned. The diameter of the insert I5 is such that it fits securely into the alined threaded surfaces of the top-end l4 and upper barrel end. Any top-end attachment may be built in or incorporated into the top-end insert l5, if desired. Thus, for example, a cup ferrule is an attachment of this character which is used in many bobbin installations.

Reference numeral l6 designates the base-end insert. Like insert Hi, the base-end insert l6 may be an exteriorly threaded solid cylindrical block of light material. It may, in fact, be made of the identical material of which the topend' in sert is made. The diameter or the insert it is such that it fits securely into the alined threaded surfaces of the base-end l2 and'the adjacent threaded surface-of the barrel l0. Any kind of 3 bobbin drive may be used in the base-end insert, and it is manifest that the base-end inserts (and the top-end inserts) are interchangeable to accommodate different drives Without otherwise altering the bobbin construction.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the material of which the top-end is made is considerably heavier than that of which the base-end is made. Thus preferred materials for fabricating the topend are stainless steel, brass, bronze, and any of the plastics or compressed fiber compositions provided that they are much heavier than the base-end material.

However, it is to be re-emphasized that the present invention does not so much involve a relation of weight differences as it does a distribution of weights, although enhanced results are obtained when in addition to a proper distribution of the weights according to the invention, there is also a substantial difference in weight between the top-end and the base-end.

Proper distribution of the weights of the two ends is based upon (a) concentration of the baseend weight as far as possible near its central axis and (1)) concentration of the top-end weight as far as possible toward its outside circumference. The bobbin, in some of its sizes, may be made of the same material throughout and still retain its gyroscopic effect of stability if the correct distribution of weights is maintained and the R. P. M. is high enough.

The aforesaid distribution of weight may be realized in a variety of ways. As shown in Fig. 2, the base-end I2 may be tapered as shown so that its thickest portion is as far as possible toward the center. The insert It also tends to concentrate weight toward the central axis at this point. If desired the material of the insert I6 may be specifically heavier than that of the base-end, although the greater mass of the former is sumcient even if both parts are made of the same material. At the top-end, on the other end, the weight distribution is in the contrary sense. Thus, the insert I is of light material as compared with the material of top-end I4; moreover, its mass is only sufficient to enable it to effect its connective function.

In order to reduce the weight of the bobbin as a whole and still maintain the top-end weight distribution (concentration toward outer periphery) in accordance with the invention, an annular recess I! may be provided in the upper side of the top-end.

It is also possible to provide bores (drilled holes) I5a, I 6a in the top-end insert and/or bottom end insert, as a further expedient for reducing the overall weight of the bobbin which is at times important when power consumption is a primary factor.

The relationship of parts according to Figs. 1 and 2 is directed toward providing a bobbin which is especially suitable for that type of operation where strength of bobbin is not of the essence so that total weight may be kept down.

Where strength is a primary consideration and overall weight is a secondary factor, the construction according to Figs. 3 and 4 may be preferred. Here the tube or barrel I0 is considerably thicker and heavier than the corresponding barrel ID of the previously-described embodiment. The top-end I4 is solid and heavy and is preferably of steel. The base-end insert I6 is longer than the insert I6 of the first form of the invention. The amount of taper in the base-end I2 is not as great as in the base-end I2; the top-end I4 being relatively heavier it is permissible if desired to make the corresponding base-end a little heavier also, in the interest of added strength.

It is to be noted that, in each case, the top-end is arcuated at its inside circumferential edge and also at its outer circumferential edge. The generatrix of the inner curve I8 is about a fair size radius while that of the outer curve I 9 is about a very small radius. The larger curve is desirable to facilitate passage of material past the head to and from the bobbin in winding and unwinding. The object of the smaller radius is merely to avoid a sharp edge and still keep much of the top-end weight towards its outside circumference.

Fig. 4 shows that the base-end insert may be provided, for instance, with a frusto-conical bore 20 for cooperation with a suitable drive. It also shows how the top-end insert may be modified to accommodate a cup ferrule 21, if desired.

It is to be emphasized that the forms of the invention hereinbefore described in detail are solely exemplary in character and merely illustrate constructions which carry out the principle of the inventiondistribution of weights in such manner as to concentrate weight towards the circumference at the top-end and towards the center at the base-end. Thus, Fig. 5 shows still another relationship of parts according to the invention, and it will be manifest that additional embodiments of the inventive principle are possible.

In Fig. 5, the barrel is the same as barrel ID of Fig. 2, and inserts I5 and I6 are the same as the corresponding inserts of the latter figure. The base-end I2 is again of light material but is tapered in specifically different manner than the base-ends of the other embodiments. The topend I4 is again of heavy material, with the generatrix of the circumferential arcuate portion be ing a semi-circle.

If desired, the top-end may be made up of two portions, an inner portion 22 and an outer portion 23, brazed, welded or otherwise integrated. The outer portion 23 is of heavier material than the inner portion 22, whereby the weight at the top-end is concentrated toward the exterior.

Having thus disclosed the principle of invention and constructional embodiments thereof, what is claimed is:

1. A bobbin of the character described which is adapted to turn about an axis of rotation extending longitudinally thereof, said bobbin comprising a substantially cylindrical barrel member, a top-end on the upper end of said barrel, a baseend on the lower end of said barrel, and means interconnecting said top-end and barrel and said base-end and barrel, the base-end being of progressively diminishing Weight toward the periph eral portions thereof and the material of which said top-end is made being considerably heavier than that of which the base-end is made.

2. A bobbin of the character described which is adapted to turn about an axis of rotation extending longitudinally thereof, said bobbin comprising a substantially cylindrical barrel member, a top-end of the upper end of said barrel, a base-end on the lower end of said barrel, and means interconnecting said top-end and barrel and said baseend and barrel, the base-end being of progressively diminishing weight toward the peripheral portions thereof, the top-end being of maximum weight adjacent its peripheral portions, and the material of which said top-end is made being considerably heavier than that of which the baseend is made.

3. A bobbin of the character described which is adapted to turn about an axis of rotation extending longitudinally thereof, said bobbin com-- prising a hollow substantially cylindrical interiorly-threaded barrel member, a dislnshaped top end on the upper end of said barrel member and having a central threaded bore in substantial alinement with the interior threaded surface of said barrel member, a disk-shaped base-end on the lower end of said barrel member and having a central threaded bore in substantial alinement with the interior threaded surface of said barrel member, an exteriorly-threaded insert in threaded engagement with the central threaded bore of said top-end and with the interior threaded surface of said barrel member, an exteriorlythreaded insert in threaded engagement with the central threaded bore of said base-end and with the interior threaded surface of said barrel member, said top-end being of relatively heavy materi al and the remaining parts being of relatively light material.

4. A bobbin of the character described comprising a cylindrical barrel, a top-end disk of heavy material and a base-end disk of light material, said base-end disk being tapered to a point of minimum thickness adjacent the periphery thereof.

5. A bobbin of the character described comprising a cylindrical barrel, a top-end disk of heavy material and a base-end disk of light material, said top-end disk being provided with an annular cut-out in the central portion thereof and said base-end disk being tapered to a point of minimum thickness adjacent the periphery thereof.

6. A method of balancing and stabilizing a bobbin consisting essentially of a top-end, a baseend of lighter Weight than the top-end, and an interconnecting barrel, which comprises distributing the weight thereof so as to concentrate the base-end weight as far as possible near the central axis of the bobbin, and concentrating the top-end weight as far as possible toward its outer periphery.

JOHN M. CRAMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 427,719 Wilson et al May 13, 1890 1,977,714 Beran Oct. 23, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,756 Great Britain Feb. 8, 1895 23,320 Great Britain Oct. 29, 1904 809,851 France Dec. 19, 1936 824,327 France Nov. 10, 1937 

